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Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Introduced: January 4, 2021 Introduced by: Norton, Eleanor Holmes Democratic · District of Columbia See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 26 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 22, 2021
Received in the Senate.
Apr 22, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 22, 2021
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 208 (Roll no. 132). (text: CR H2061-2071)
Apr 22, 2021
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 205 - 215 (Roll no. 131).
Apr 22, 2021
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered without objection.
Apr 22, 2021
Mr. Griffith moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. (text: CR H2081-2088)
Apr 22, 2021
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Apr 22, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 51.
Apr 22, 2021
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 51, H.R. 1573 and H.R. 1333. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The previous question on each measure is considered ordered without intervening motions except one hour of debate and a motion to recommit. H. Res. 316 and H. Con. Res. 30 are adopted.
Apr 22, 2021
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 330. (consideration: CR H2061-2089)
Apr 21, 2021
Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Oversight and Reform, H. Rept. 117-19, Part II.
Apr 20, 2021
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 330 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 51, H.R. 1573 and H.R. 1333. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The previous question on each measure is considered ordered without intervening motions except one hour of debate and a motion to recommit. H. Res. 316 and H. Con. Res. 30 are adopted.
Apr 16, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 6.
Apr 16, 2021
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Apr 16, 2021
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Apr 16, 2021
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
Apr 16, 2021
Committee on Rules discharged.
Apr 16, 2021
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Reform. H. Rept. 117-19, Part I.
Apr 14, 2021
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
Apr 14, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 22, 2021
Committee Hearings Held.
Mar 1, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Jan 5, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jan 4, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 4, 2021
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1)
Jan 4, 2021
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Apr 22, 2021 House · vote #132 On Passage Passed 216208 See who voted →
Apr 22, 2021 House · vote #131 On Motion to Recommit Failed 205215 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 44 Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 330, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Com… Agreed to Apr 22, 2021
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

This bill provides for admission into the United States of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia. The commonwealth shall be admitted to the Union on an equal footing with the other states.

The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the commonwealth.

The bill applies current District laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings.

The commonwealth (1) shall consist of all District territory, with specified exclusions for federal buildings and monuments, including the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, and the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the Capitol Building; and (2) may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits.

District territory excluded from the commonwealth shall be known as the Capital and shall be the seat of the federal government. The bill maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property.

The bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution repealing the Twenty-third Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of electors of the President and Vice President.

The bill continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, courts, and college tuition assistance, until the commonwealth certifies that it is prepared to take over the authorities and responsibilities.

The bill establishes the Statehood Transition Commission to advise the President, Congress, and District and commonwealth leaders on the transition.

What's happening now April 22, 2021

Received in the Senate.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
 Cosponsors 172
D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Apr 15, 2021
Bourdeaux, Carolyn
· Mar 16, 2021
D
Levin, Mike
California · Mar 11, 2021
D
Schrier, Kim
Washington · Mar 10, 2021
D
Strickland, Marilyn
Washington · Feb 18, 2021
D
Davids, Sharice
Kansas · Jan 28, 2021
D
Mrvan, Frank J.
Indiana · Jan 28, 2021
Lamb, Conor
· Jan 21, 2021
D
Leger Fernandez, Teresa
New Mexico · Jan 21, 2021
Kahele, Kaiali'i
· Jan 19, 2021
D
Ross, Deborah K.
North Carolina · Jan 11, 2021
HASTINGS, ALCEE
· Jan 6, 2021
D
Adams, Alma S.
North Carolina · Jan 4, 2021
D
Aguilar, Pete
California · Jan 4, 2021
D
Auchincloss, Jake
Massachusetts · Jan 4, 2021
D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
California · Jan 4, 2021
D
Beatty, Joyce
Ohio · Jan 4, 2021
D
Bera, Ami
California · Jan 4, 2021
D
Beyer, Donald S.
Virginia · Jan 4, 2021
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Jan 4, 2021
D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · Jan 4, 2021
D
Bonamici, Suzanne
Oregon · Jan 4, 2021
D
Boyle, Brendan F.
Pennsylvania · Jan 4, 2021
Brown, Anthony
· Jan 4, 2021
D
Brownley, Julia
California · Jan 4, 2021
Bustos, Cheri
· Jan 4, 2021
Butterfield, G. K.
· Jan 4, 2021
D
Carbajal, Salud O.
California · Jan 4, 2021
D
Carson, André
Indiana · Jan 4, 2021
D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Jan 4, 2021
D
Casten, Sean
Illinois · Jan 4, 2021
D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · Jan 4, 2021
D
Castro, Joaquin
Texas · Jan 4, 2021
D
Chu, Judy
California · Jan 4, 2021
D
Clark, Katherine M.
Massachusetts · Jan 4, 2021
D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Jan 4, 2021
D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Jan 4, 2021
D
Clyburn, James E.
South Carolina · Jan 4, 2021
D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Jan 4, 2021
D
Correa, J. Luis
California · Jan 4, 2021
D
Costa, Jim
California · Jan 4, 2021
D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Jan 4, 2021
D
Craig, Angie
Minnesota · Jan 4, 2021
Crist, Charlie
· Jan 4, 2021
D
Crow, Jason
Colorado · Jan 4, 2021
D
Cuellar, Henry
Texas · Jan 4, 2021
D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Jan 4, 2021
D
Dean, Madeleine
Pennsylvania · Jan 4, 2021
DEFAZIO, PETER
· Jan 4, 2021
D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Jan 4, 2021
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-51/
MLA
"H.R. 51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-51/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 51, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-51/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-51/)
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